Theresa Morales

My daily prayer as of late :)

http://bible.com/59/psa32.8.esv I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

I love to see people that don't look anything like athletes going for a jog. When my husband and I are riding in the car I always find myself encouraging these joggers, in my head of course. Well in my attempt to go jogging one day myself I found I was the one receiving the encouragement. This person had no idea that their small act of encouragement stamped me for good. It was this outward encouragement that made this recent post c-section mommy run a little harder and longer. The day was hot and all I wanted was some time to myself. Before I was married I often jogged around my neighborhood covering about three miles a day. This isn't much, but to someone who never ran in her life it felt like a great accomplishment every time I finished my run. Now three years later, two miscarriages and one baby delivered cesarean section (hello major surgery) I did not feel myself anymore. It was hard. I was exhausted. And than it happened. A white SUV drove by and an older man stuck his hand out and gave me the thumbs up. He actually shook the thumbs up as to add emphasis. I felt myself smile through my sorry attempt at a jog, but now I would not give up. I did it, I finished. And all because someone decided to encourage a non athletic looking total stranger. Now I guess the reason this was so encouraging to me was because in the years I ran those three miles like it was a breeze I would often pray during my workout and was reminded how our spiritual journey is like running a race. There are times you need that white SUV to drive around and give you the enthusiastic thumbs up. It very well could be the make or break point for people. The encouragement when someone is thinking of how "un athletic" they look trying to jog, how they are "tired", their "form is wrong" and the list goes on. All it took was someone expressing encouragement and not just keeping it to themselves. So now I am the one driving, my baby girl in the back seat. We are headed home from an outing and I see one of them, yup a jogger. Not one of those all decked out in their jogging shorts and Brooks running shoes. (Not that there is anything wrong with that, heck I own Brooks) Anyway, I decided it was time to do more than encourage them in my head. I rolled down my window and gave the lady an enthusiastic thumbs up. As I kept driving I saw her smile and put her head down. I guarantee she thought of that gesture as she pushed herself a little harder and a little longer. And if a gesture as simple as this will bring on greater determination with something like an afternoon jog, you better believe it will move a Christ-follower to follow that much harder and that much longer. Don't just be hopeful that fellow believers hold on to Christ but encourage them to do so every chance you get. It is a simple gesture, it cost nothing but it still encourages me to this day. Be a blessing outwardly, it lasts longer than you think. :)

A New place but Same God

So now we are in Corpus Christi :) I realized that my last entry to my blog was when we were still living in Las Vegas, ahhhh fun times. It's strange that its only when you look back that you realize how great or difficult times were. Any-Way. My hubby and I will be celebrating our two year wedding anniversary on February 13, and I can't believe it has only been two years. With all the traveling and moving around we have done it feels more like five. I find myself always needing to adjust to the area or job or whatever it may be, and recently I realized that there truly is one thing constant. CHRIST. I always think if there is one person who I can go to and it is as though we never skipped a beat, no matter where I live, it would be Christ. I can be away from my family or from friends I have made but the One that knows me inside and out would be Him. There is great comfort in knowing that when everything else fails God is still in charge. The other day I was in our apartment and started to play the guitar and realized how close God truly is and how that scripture in James 4:8 about drawing near to God and purifying yourself is so needed constantly. This is yet again a new time a different place and I trust God will use me - The one who wants to be invisible more often than not, yes God can use her for his glory.

It's Been a Long Time

Love is so much more giving than receiving. I saw this in my husband the other day as he so wanted to make me smile. I don't want to paint myself to be a grouch, who would right. But moving to Las Vegas for the second time can be a bit of an adjustment, especially for someone who grew up with such a large family. Moving to a place where you know no one can be lonely and even intimidating. So the other day I missed my family and home so much he (Rigo) wanted to take me for a little drive to grab some yogurt at a place called the Golden Spoon. We drove there and I noticed he wanted to make me laugh and just see me smile. Once I had my yogurt in hand me saw my face and said, "that's what I wanted, a smile." I know it seems silly but little things like these make me see Christ in my husband. No one is perfect but God does use imperfect people to show Himself.
As I was spending some time with the Lord while my husband was off at practice I read that quote in the picture posted and was reminded of earlier that afternoon. As hot and tired as Rigo was he made an effort to just want to see me smile during this time of adjustment. I realized that if he wants to show me that, how much more does Christ want to show me comfort and peace.
Matthew 7:11
It has been a while since I last shared and am amazed at all Christ has done for my husband and I. Through the difficult and not so difficult. I need to remember Matthew 7:11.

The Beauty of Trusting and the Grace to Follow!

My husband and I are right outside Las Vegas at UNLV for a football mini camp this week. Since we have been traveling, I have had such a new found trust in him.
While driving up here from Brownsville I sat there trying to be a good and alert co-pilot all to discover after our 18 hour drive to Chandler Arizona just how much I trust him.
Here is this man who promised to take care of me no matter what and I can see that to be true in so many ways. I thought of how there were many different ways that my life could have ended up but for a reason that God only knows here I am watching my husband pursue a career in football And the Lord has called me to pray and bless him; encourage him and stay by his side after every game and practice.
No matter what he ends up doing as a job or career I know that I must be his biggest "cheerleader" and with my words and prayers bless him. I am seeing the importance of running alongside him as a partner in all this and understanding that this just isn't his life and passion but how it is now my life too. Who knows what God will do with all of this but I have seen just how much my husband loves me this past week and that is very very humbling. God has been gracious to me and is showing me so much through this and i am thankful. In everything unfamiliar I know that Christ is constant and he has given me a wonderful husband to hold my hand through the unfamiliarity and change.

Two Months, Bragging, Easter and a Pedicure

Lessons learned in the first two months. And some thoughts.

1. A true smile is prettier than any outfit, hair style or makeup I can put on.
2. Learn to have fun with crazy schedules. Sometimes you can't help it!
3. LISTEN LISTEN LISTEN and LISTEN
4. keep doing "chessy" love things.
5. Not every bit of housework is going to get done.
6. Go to bed at the same time- No matter what! (I know this may change as we have kids but for now it is great!)
7. Keep God right smack in the middle and on the sides and everywhere else. :D
8. Go Ahead Brag about your husband- maybe if more people did they would be thankful for their marriages.

I was in the newsroom the other day and a coworker and I were talking about our husbands. We met up in the restroom by chance and she was asking me how married life was going. As we started talking she was saying that she got so tired of hearing woman COMPLAIN about their marriages and husbands. "AMEN SISTA" I felt like shouting. I know I'm a newbie but I agreed with her. She had been married for a while but out conversation just confirmed what so often happens. She was saying how she hears her sister in law complain of her marriage so often and how the negative attitude of that particular lady is like a poison. She was smart this coworker of mine. I told her how refreshing it is to have someone to brag about my husband with because sometimes I feel like I over do it. But I am just happy. I am in love. I think he is strong and handsome and smart and creative and athletic. He paints my toe nails and benches incredible amounts of weight. I think that is sexy and amazing!
-And yes those toes are mine. It's the first time he has painted toe nails. I was so proud of Him, I think he did pretty great.
- An Easter Card. MY Honey Bunny

Here is something my coworker sent me today :)

MARRIAGE IS ABOUT SHARING LOVE, NOT FINDING FAULT

DEAR ABBY: It saddens me when I hear women complain that men don’t do their fair share around the home. When a woman says, "He didn’t put the toilet seat down," I want to ask, "Did you put it back up for him?" When a woman says, "He didn’t pick up his dishes," I want to ask, "Did you clean up the oil spot your car left in the garage?" When a woman says, "He left his clothes on the floor," I want to ask, "Did you dump the unpaid bills on his desk?" I believe marriage is a personal relationship between two loving people, not an opportunity to complain to others about perceived abuses.

During the 40 years my husband and I have been married, we both worked and managed to raise three productive members of society. We have a tacit agreement. Each of us does absolutely everything possible to keep the home running smoothly, never tallying and setting up balance sheets. Out of love, each of us does whatever improves our common good, and both of us find reason for daily surprises as we receive in kind from the other. — JO IN PHOENIX

Priority Switch and A Lot of Love

I will be married a month this Saturday and so much has changed within my heart. In a good way of course.
The Love I have for my husband is one I thought was only for others or was just not possibly true concerning another person.
I remember attending a wedding and seeing the bride so happy. I mean overflowing with happiness. She was being loved and kissed by her husband and she looked so carefree and beautiful. So alive in every way and I thought "WOAH wait a minute here this looks real, I mean the Love and happiness I see it looks genuine."
I will never forget that picture in my head.
The day I got married and even more so the morning after I was incredibly happy. I mean "outside of myself" happy, This has to be unreal sort of happiness. I had never experienced such Joy concerning another person.
The morning after I woke up to kisses, a bible reading and breakfast in bed.
What sheer joy that was and still is.
I felt loved, safe and cared for.
And it has not changed,
Now I know that with time a couple grows and sees new sides to one another and there will be disagreements but concerning others "well intended advice" let me offer some advice back.
If you feel trapped in your own marriage don't make comments like "oh that's it, it's over you're TIED DOWN."
WHAT!!??? My response back was "Why did you get married than?"
Or the ever popular
"IT'S OVER FOR YOU"
UHHHHHH why???
I found that some people will offer their experiences negative included and expect you to feel the same.
Some were
- You are going to cry to go back home.
- You will be annoyed at the clothes he leaves on the floor.
- Little things are habits he does will annoy you.

Well no I never cried to go back home although I love my family.
I am thankful I have an amazing man to pick up after and wash his clothes. And I know this isn't a newlywed thing because, not having something for so long and finally being blessed with it, believe you appreciate every little thing about it.
And NO, I am not looking to be annoyed by little things he does or doesn't do.
Now I am not perfect and no one is. I know there will come time of disagreements and change but I would hate to expect the bad all the time.
I think it is good to adopt the habit of thinking the best of people. It helps you filter out an expectation of bad. Not everything is a potential argument and I pray that I myself am simply pleasing to be around.
One thing I am certain of is that a relationship takes work,
But even the word "WORK" can sometimes sound exhausting. Working at a marriage is joyful work and a blessing.
I write this in hopes that marriage will be seen as a joy and a blessing designed to make one selfless yet loved. Designed to make us like Christ. And that people is a good thing.
Pray your marriage is filled with fresh love every day. I do for my own.

Getting back to the Real Purpose

My wedding is a less than three weeks away and stress could weasel it's way into my mind and cause me to be cranky unhappy or just down right mean.
But surprisingly throughout this whole engagement I have been one happy puppy!
Not to say I am perfect by any means but after seeing 6 other brothers and sisters get married (Lola included) I picked up a few things.
A couple of rules to follow.
1. Plan within your means of finances
2. Don't try to please every single person. It is impossible.
3. Choose NOT to think the worst of people.
4. Leave room for changes
5. Have a fair amount of Compromise from both families.
6. Stay thankful.
7. Get back to the real purpose for marriage.

in other words stay focused on why you are even spending this great amount of money on this party of all parties! ( BTW our families are helping tremendously with finances.)

The reason for even writing this entry was because of an incident that happened yesterday as I was at my trial makeup appointment.

As i was sitting there the lady says "remember not to STRESS OUT!"
and i said "no I haven't been stressed" "Busy yes, stressed No"
and she said "OH but Yes you Will be stressed as it gets closer"
and I simply shook my head. Not wanting to continue the conversation of why I SHOULD be stressed any further.

Where is it written that all brides must be an absolute mess before their wedding!!!
And why MUST I be stressed.
Sure there is a lot going on, and as i was tempted to fall into the STRESS HOLE I stopped myself.
As I was praying this morning I asked the Lord

"Please don't let me lose focus of why I am even getting married. Let me enjoy this time I will never have again. Let me laugh when others say I should be worried."

There is a purpose for God putting Rigo and I together. And I am going to just enjoy this time of Love and learning.
There is such an emphasis on your wedding day and rightfully so. But you can miss out on all the beautiful things when you are consumed with everything that is not going right. This is when I pray that God will let me take my hands off the wheel and let him drive.
He can do a much better job than Rigo and I can anyway.

24 Days left till the BIG DAY!!!!

A birthday snapshot and a few thoughts...

As my wedding day approaches I think I am more and more in awe at what God has done this past year. So much has happened in a matter of months that at times I feel overwhelmed at the grace of God. I truly don't deserve it. I only pray I will be the wife He has called me to be. I know I have A LOT to learn. I guess I am just thankful He has brought me into this season. I know it is filled with so much change and adjusting. I pray for the ability to do what He has already willed in my life.

***Love can draw so much amazing things out of a person***

LOVE and the act of being Intentional

I have been wanting to write on Love for a long while and after hearing a sermon one Sunday morning on it I knew that God was putting a lesson on Love in my heart. Yes, I am in Love at the moment with a amazing man but I soon realized that Love as beautiful as it is must be intentional.
LOVE = Selfless commitment to another's well being.
I think the word commitment in this definition is what brings on the act of being intentional. I think for the most part (and this is a generalization) people want to see other's succeed. Teachers want their students to pass. Coaches want their team to win. Parents want their kids to have good jobs, marry the right people etc. But to be selflessly committed to one other person with the end goal resulting in their well being must be intentional.
I was with my sister the other day and one of her little girls was crying, I mean wailing. Her poor baby girl was hungry and was not up for the car ride home. As we drove along the crowded 3:30 p.m. streets of Brownsville trying our best to make it home as fast as we could I saw what a selfless commitment it was to be a mother. Drop everything and meet the needs of your baby. You come second the needs your baby has come first. I was sure my sister wasn't going to say "Yeah I can hear you crying but I really do need to stop for a manicure and pedicure, so zip your lip girl can't you see your mom has needs to." Ok so the example might seem far fetched to us as Christians but you get the picture.
It was not about my sister, it was about her baby.
Thank God it just doesn't stop with children but God desires us to live intentional about love.
As I get ready to get married I thought about living out Love in my relationship with my fiance. I love him dearly and want him to succeed and think he is the most amazing man on the face of the earth. I deeply desire to intentionally Love him. Not love him because he did it all perfectly or knew what to say but purpose in my heart to Love simply. I think that often times being in christian circles wives or husbands tend to have more grace on their "disciples" than they do on their own spouse. Believe me I have heard enough negative talk on marriage and the "just wait after you are married seven years it's a shocker, eyes wander and you grow tired." AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! I hate the attitude some have now a day about marriage and call me naive but I would rather have faith like a child in the Lord about my marriage and future than to negatively anticipate and participate in some of this marriage counsel. If God designed Love and marriage than He alone will be faithful to see it to the end. It is not my desire to throw my hands in the air and say well whatever happens happens nor is it my desire to anticipate a negative relationship in the future.
What I have decided is to pray and ask the Lord that he make me Love intentionally. To Love not just those who love me ---For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? MATTHEW 5:46
Do I claim to be an expert, No not at all, do i boast that my life will always be perfect, No, I know God builds us through trials.
But what I do draw comfort in is knowing that He loved intentionally for me. I didn't deserve his commitment of selfless love. Christ is the one who is the model of this and I need to cling to Him in order to anticipate Love and intentionally give it to others.
***That definition in itself brings about so much conviction in my heart, if I can be painfully honest. I want to Love intentionally not just to please my future husband or others but to please my God, the one who selflessly committed Himself for my well being that He might be lifter higher.

Photos from Arizona :)

On the plane
The beautiful braid he made me :)
Paying for parking
And Breakfast :) Yummy

Lessons from Arizona

This October I had the chance to visit Arizona to see my fiance Rigo. I was more than excited at the chance to spend time with him along with some amazing friends. My best friend Marylou and her husband Shaun Tan were blessings the whole time and I learned many valuable lessons on marriage, trust and the importance of girl friends.
Of course like anyone in my situation where the man she loves is thousands of miles away all I wanted to do was run to him and spend every waking moment in his presence. :) But in the mix of football practice and other things he had to take care of I found that valuable "girl friend" time was important also. One morning while my man was busy snapping the football we all went to eat breakfast. Our ever polite hostesses Ruth and Milo took us out and we had an amazing time. As we stuffed our faces with egg whites and whole wheat pancakes I realized all over again just how important Godly friendships are. Seeing the way these men, Shaun and Milo, treated their beautiful wives spoke loudly to me. Of course I missed my man and felt a bit incomplete but being in the company of those I was with made me appreciate him so much more.
Spending sweet time with him in Arizona and praying outside one cool evening are things I won't ever forget.
I am so proud of all he has accomplished as he has been gone. Even as he finishes this football season with the UFL I am grateful for our time together and apart. YES I SAID APART. This time apart has brought on so many lessons learned from trust to communication. Being together in Arizona made our semi long distance relationship all the sweeter. I am learning, apart from him, about being content, beautiful as a person, trust, the importance of communication, expressing myself and of course PATIENCE. Patience to wait on the right time and the ability to trust God with this relationship no matter what issues may arise.
We've truly made a commitment before we even say I do to each other and I am seeing the value of quality time and blessing each other with our WORDS. That is all we have right now and I am so blessed to have been given a man like this who is so giving with his words!!!! Even if he is thousands of miles away I feel so close to him, so assured of his love and so blessed by the Lord.

A wonderful gift

My life has changed so beautifully after God crushed the walls of fear I built up around my heart. During the summer of this year I battled so greatly with God about so many things. I felt my days were as water just slipping by with so much confusion and fear. This was truly a time of refining from God because He alone knew what was to come.
I met Rigoberto Morales in March and nothing became of our conversations but God had a plan. A beautiful plan. We began talking again on July 9th and since than a purpose filled relationship began to grow in Christ, with Him as our foundation. Rigo is a God-fearing man who loves the Lord, has convictions and is what I had always prayed a man would be in my life. Through my cynicism of relationships and love, God restored me this summer refining a lot of ideas and beliefs that were still remains of heartache. God brought me a man that would love me as a woman. I know the love God has poured out on me through Christ and NOT ONE SINGLE PERSON could take that place. But I know God has given me my hearts desire fulfilling it in every way from things that would seem insignificant like his laugh, his eyes, the tone of his voice, his sense of humor to the significant things like his beliefs in Christ, his faithfulness to tithe, his convictions on relationships and respecting my dads wishes. I was worth it to him, Rigo, to pursue everyday. I felt more blessed than these words can say the day he asked me to marry him. I cried at how this wonderful man loved me, me, little insignificant Theresa. The one that wants to be invisible was seen. I trust God in the things concerning my heart and see now that all things have a purpose. There were nights I prayed and cried out to God for a man just like Rigo. So consistent, so thoughtful, so patient, someone who loved the convictions I had and did not think it a bother to deal with the things I believed. God has always given me grace for the day and I pray He will use this relationship to glorify HImself. I have much to learn about being a wife and a woman of Christ in such a way as this. I am just going to enjoy this season and be in awe and the goodness of God!

ON THE HOOD OF MY JEEP WRANGLER OFF OF HIGHWAY 48!

So it's windy outside and after sitting in an always humorous 3 o clock budget meeting we get a notice that high winds are slowing down traffic off HWY 48... so I'm off. I'm off to photograph sandy roads and once again do the whole parking on the side of the road while people look at you like your crazy. But if that isn't enough I knew that the only way to get a better shot was to stand on the hood of my jeep and shoot the oncoming traffic. So there I go thinking I'm invisible and "who will notice, who will care" But after some honks I thought to myself "hmmm... how crazy does this look." Anyway sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do to get the shot. Can I get an "amen" my blogger photogs :) Needless to say I had sand in my ears and in my hair. BLUGH !!!

Cameron County pay reduction / And the power of invisibility :)

This assignment was surprisingly fun! The people could care less if i was right in their face. If I had a superhuman power it would be the ability to be INVISIBLE :D

A messy fun day :) Can we say Pedicure

This is a photo of a recent oil spill that made its way to the beaches of Boca Chica and S.P.I.
My feet were covered in oil and had to get them scrubbed - the foot scrubbing felt great ....hehehehe :D
I went with a reporter Alexandra and we walked the jetties- they were HOT!! We also got stuck in the sand so I used my trusty 4 while drive- I Love my Jeep Wrangler!!!